The Marlowes announces free summer holiday line-up

The Marlowes Hemel Hempstead

The Marlowes Shopping Centre in Hemel Hempstead is gearing up for the summer holidays with a packed programme of free family events, designed to help keep children entertained throughout the six-week break.

From meet and greets with beloved characters to hands-on workshops, sing-alongs and monster-themed adventures, there’s something for every family to enjoy at Marlowes this summer – all completely free of charge.

Seaside Squad – Thursday 16 July, 10am-1pm

Kick off the summer in style with a visit from the Seaside Squad, courtesy of Haven holiday parks. Families can enjoy a meet and greet in South Court near B&M, bringing a taste of seaside fun to the heart of Hemel Hempstead.

Monster Hunters Academy – Saturday 25 July, 11am-4pm

Get ready for a day of mischief and mystery. The Marlowes Shopping Centre is welcoming a team of goggle-wearing, yellow little helpers for the ultimate Monster Hunters Academy. Children are invited to become official monster hunters for the day by taking part in an interactive adventure.

  • The Week-Long Warm Up: The fun starts early with a week-long Monster Hunt Trail running throughout the shopping centre, giving families a head start on tracking down hidden creatures.
  • The Main Event (Saturday 25 July): The hunt culminates in a grand finale trail with prizes to be won.
  • Meet the Helpers: Everyone’s favourite yellow assistants will make appearances throughout the day for photos.
  • Interactive Monster Labs: Creative workshops featuring monster mask-making, slime experiments, and creature design.
  • Extra Fun: A dedicated face painting and makeover station, alongside a dress-up corner and selfie booth.

Happy Helly Choir – Saturday 1 August, 2pm

Sit back and enjoy the Happy Helly Choir as they bring their joyful singing for an afternoon performance the whole family can enjoy. Find them in South Court near B&M.

Crochet Workshop – Saturday 29 August

Round off the summer holidays with a beginners’ crochet workshop, in aid of Animal Support Angels, where everyone can learn how to create cute crochet animals. This event will be bookable so keep an eye out for more details.

Vicki-Lea Workman, Business Manager at Marlowes Shopping Centre, said: ‘We understand that it’s really hard to keep little ones entertained for six weeks, so we wanted to support our community with free events. Our summer programme has something for everyone, from monster-themed adventures to sing-alongs and craft workshops, and we can’t wait to welcome families down to Marlowes over the holidays.’

In addition to the scheduled events, families can take advantage of The Marlowes’ permanent amenities. The onsite soft play area is open daily, offering a safe space for toddlers to burn off energy, while young bookworms can visit Marley’s Little Library to borrow books for the summer break.

Little builders can also get creative with the Giant Colourful Building Blocks, open daily from 9am-5.30pm. Children can stack, construct, and imagine to their heart’s content while developing key skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and motor coordination.

For more details on all upcoming summer events, visit www.themarlowes.co.uk.